Mental Health Is Health: Stop Waiting for Rock Bottom
- Nicole Pitt
- Apr 28
- 4 min read
We do not wait for a broken bone to heal itself.
We do not ignore chest pain and hope it will simply disappear.
So why do we treat mental pain like it is just a bad mood we have to push through?
Mental health is not a luxury or a side project. It is health. It is survival. It is something we need to nurture, maintain, and protect every single day, not only when everything falls apart.
And speaking of falling apart, yes, here is your pun alert:
Rock bottom is, quite literally, the bottom of the lake.
You do not have to sink that far before deciding it is time to reach for help. It is a cheesy pun, I know, but even cheesy puns float when the waves start pulling you under.
You are allowed to reach for support long before you hit the bottom.
In fact, that is where real strength lives... in the decision to care for yourself while you are still afloat.
Why We Wait (and Why We Cannot Afford To)
I have been there too.
There were times when I thought, "I am fine. I can handle this. It is not that bad." Until suddenly, it was that bad. And climbing back out felt so much harder than it would have if I had just reached for support earlier.
Most of us have been taught, whether loudly or quietly, that struggling inside does not count as "serious enough" until we are in crisis. Maybe you learned, like I did, to minimize your struggles because other people had it worse.
Maybe you learned to just keep going, no matter how heavy the load became.
But here is the reality:
Burnout sneaks up before you even realize it.
Anxiety builds quietly in the background.
Relationships erode slowly, not overnight.
Children notice stress in the home long before adults are ready to admit it.
Waiting for rock bottom only makes the climb back harder.
You do not have to tread water until you are gasping for air.
You deserve better than survival mode.
Your family deserves better than survival mode.
You deserve support while you are climbing, not only after you crash.
What if asking for help now could be the reason you never have to hit that bottom at all?
You Do Not Have to Hit Rock Bottom to Ask for Help
You do not need a diagnosis.
You do not need a breakdown.
You do not need someone else's permission.
You only need to listen to the quieter signs your mind and body are already giving you.
If any of these feel familiar, it might be time to reach out:
You wake up tired, no matter how much you sleep.
Everyday tasks feel heavier and harder to start.
You find yourself snapping at loved ones, or withdrawing from them.
Decisions, even small ones, feel overwhelming or exhausting.
You keep telling yourself, "I just need to get through this," but the finish line keeps moving farther away.
If even one of those feels familiar, you are not weak. You are not failing. You are human.
And you are allowed to seek help before you break.
You are allowed to choose ease over survival.
Healing Happens in the Small Moments
I used to believe healing had to be dramatic. A massive life overhaul. Some huge, transformational leap. But real healing happens quietly, in the small, stubborn acts of self-respect we choose every day.
It is in:
Choosing to rest without guilt.
Talking to someone who truly listens.
Setting boundaries that protect your peace.
Learning new ways to regulate your emotions.
Modelling emotional wellness for your children and family.
You do not need to fall apart to rebuild something better. You do not have to find out how deep the bottom is before you start swimming back toward the surface.
Sometimes healing is simply about noticing when the current is pulling you off course and choosing to steer yourself gently back.
Coming Soon
This Mental Health Awareness Month, I will be releasing a free guide to help individuals and families build simple, powerful mental health rituals into daily life.
Because healing does not have to start at rock bottom.
It can start wherever you are, whether you are riding the waves, floating aimlessly, or doggy paddling your way through.
And yes, cheesy puns included. If it keeps you afloat, it is worth it.
Ready to Connect?
If you are ready to start your own healing journey or simply need a little support navigating the waves, I am here.
You can book a session at wavestherapy.ca or email wellness@wavestherapy.ca if you would like to connect.
You do not have to wait for rock bottom to take the first step.
As a trained and registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist (MSW) with over 25 years of experience, I am dedicated to creating a safe, supportive space where you can feel seen, supported, and empowered.
Healing does not have to happen alone. Support is available, and so is real change.
P.S. If you feel like you are barely keeping your nose above water, you are not alone. Stay tuned for new resources designed to help you ride the waves, not get swallowed by them.
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